Construction for the Sam Lee Arts and Sciences Center for Westlake Academy began on September 15, 2008, following the award of a guaranteed maximum price contract to the construction firm of Steele and Freeman. The total project cost of the new 8,700 square foot building is $5.1 million. The original design plans for this project included three science labs, expanded art facilities, as well as a black box theater. The Board of Aldermen, however, in consultation with the Westlake Academy senior management team, decided to limit the current construction to two science labs, an art classroom (including a kiln) and additional office space. Any additional building plans will be made only after the completion of a facilities’ needs assessment.
According to Mark Rosevear, the WA Head of School, “The current project allows us to quickly meet our most pressing need and that is on-site laboratory facilities for our students.” Currently, Academy students enrolled in the school’s IB Diploma program must take buses to Tarrant County Community College to use labs and thus meet the Academy’s science curriculum requirements. “Also, with this project, we will be able to meet another immediate need for art room space. This is a welcome addition to our campus and allows us to continue to deliver first class education to our students,” Rosevear added.
Facilities and Recreation Director Troy Meyer, project manager for the building, commented that Steele and Freeman is making good progress on construction. According to Meyer, “The Lee Center will be a tremendous asset to the Academy campus and is scheduled to be finished so it can open for class in the fall of 2009.”
The Westlake Academy Foundation was charged with securing private donations for the portion of the construction cost that was not funded through the Town or the Texas Student Housing Authority. Leah Rennhack, Foundation President, reports that the Foundation is within approximately $125,000 of its fundraising goal. Mrs. Rennhack commented, “The Foundation is so appreciative of everyone’s support of this project. We are incredibly grateful to our parent body and the Westlake community as a whole, and we’re confident that with the continued generous support of this community, we will meet this goal.” You can find out more about making donations and fundraising efforts for this project by contacting the Foundation’s Executive Director, Angie Gofredo, at (817) 490-5722 or at: agofredo@westlakefoundation.com.
